“Happy to win the Gallaher Shield in it’s Centenary year”- Boa Athu

Manukau Rovers with a last minute penalty kick, beat the 35 time Champion Posonby 20 points to 18 to win the Gallaher Shield yesterday. This is a Auckland Rugby Football Union senior premier competition, the most prestigious in New Zealand.

“I’m happy that as the Rugby Director we managed to win it in the centenary year of the shield. It’s been 49 years since we last won it in 1973.” Speaking to Boa Athu, a former Royal College and CH & FC rugby player who is now domiciled in New Zealand, is the Rugby Director of the Club since 2019.

Boa Athu is not an unfamiliar name in the Schools Rugby circuit as an educator on Safe Rugby Practices and in depth analysis on social media. With his alma mater winning against Wesley College this Saturday with one match more for the Schools Rugby League title, the icing on the cake was winning the Gallaher Shield.

The Gallaher Shield was inaugurated in 1922 and named after Dave Gallaher, a Posonby and Former All Blacks Captain. Many All Blacks have emerged from this premier competition.

The Manukau Rovers was established in 1885 and have won the Gallaher Shield 3 times including the first time when they won in 1968. At present, 4 players also play Super Rugby for the Blues Team.

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